This is a blog that will take you through the Rum lifestyles of a fine group of people that enjoy the fun and pleasure of fine rums. We will travel to distilleries, partys, and Rum Events to bring you the Rumstyles of all those we come in contact with.

Bahama Bob's Rumstyles

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Momentum for
nutrition and ingredients labeling on alcoholic beverages has been increasing
for some time now. On Monday (March 13) the European Commission released its
long-awaited report on nutritional and ingredients labeling for alcoholic
beverages. It did not insist on mandatory labeling,

but instead challenged the
industry to come up with a harmonized self-regulatory proposal on providing
information on ingredients and nutrition on all alcoholic beverages within a
year.

The "Standard Drinks"

But does what
works for a glass of wine work for a pint of beer? And what about a shot of
spirits? Could this prove to be more than a pint-sized challenge? The key questions now will include what the
reference point should be per serve, or by a set volume? The other question is which way is the best
way to communicate such information to consumers?

The funny
thing is that this question was answered some number of years ago, when the “Standard
Drink” was created. This idea provides
the customer with the same amount of alcohol no matter if you are drinking beer
or 151 proof spirits. The system says
that 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. wine or 1 ½ oz. of 80 proof spirits all have the
same amount of pure alcohol. The
calories should be based on what people are being served, that way they can
understand the number of calories per “standard drink”. Consumers are increasingly conscious of
health and wellness and what they are eating and drinking. Health and wellness trend is relevant for the
alcoholic beverage industry as well as the food industry. 'Skinny cocktails' and low alcohol beers are
seeing increased interest. To many consumers, calorie counts are just as
important in the evening as they are during the day.

Spirit vs Wine Lsaaabel

Combining all alcoholic beverages to the same volume seems
like a straight-forward logic is potentially problematic, people don’t receive
the different alcoholic beverages in a set amount and presenting dietary
information is a set volume would do nothing but confuse the public. Calories per serve for instance, based on Dietary Guidelines, the calorie count for each
drink-equivalent is: A 1.5 oz. of distilled spirits (40 percent alcohol) is98 calories, 12 oz. regular beer (5 percent alcohol) is about150 calories and 5 oz. drink of wine (12 percent alcohol) is
about120 calories.
This is how Americans receive their beverages and I feel like this is
the basis for which the nutrition labels need to present the data.

There are
valid arguments for both sides of the question, but when it is all said and done,
in food they present the information in calories etc. per serving and at least
here in America, that is what we are used to and why should the presentation
change for the alcoholic beverage industry.